I would like to pass on a note of thanks to the players, coaches, manager of your Totem Ford Midget Rep hockey team. They spent this past weekend in our city at the "Battle of the Ice" Midget Rep (mini) tournament. The other visiting teams were from Fort St. John and Houston. While the final outcome of the tournament is still in doubt as I am writing this note, I can honestly say the classiest team of the tournament is not in doubt.

In your teams second game of the event, against the team from Fort St James, they showed a level of sportsmanship seldom seen and sadly seldom heard about.

Fort St John had an autistic player and while his skill level was not up to that of his team mates, he made up for it in determination and enthusiasm. Your team had the game "well in hand" and in the third period, they "allowed" this fellow to "work" the puck to the front of the net and eventually score a goal. Well that young man gave a reaction that lit up the whole rink. He gave it his best "Selani, Yakupov, Flurey" all rolled into one. Both benches, players and staff, all the fans and "off-ice" crew all gave him a standing "O." The only thing missing was a microphone to announce his "un-assisted" goal. It definitely was a moment I will remember, and retell, for a long time.

After the goal, as my linesman partner lined up for the face-off , he overheard someone on the F.S. J. bench say, "what a nice team."

I passed on my own comments to Darren and Darcy in person. Further thanks to Darren for assisting me in finding an Official to work the tournament. Without Tyler Noble making the trip the event would not have gone on. I have worked games with Tyler before and always enjoy doing so.